Vidya Balan never stops experimenting with her roles. And the latest is: we see her shedding her goody-girl avatar and playing Southern siren Silk Smitha in The Dirty Picture.

The actor in conversation with Sreya Basu in Mumbai

How was it playing Silk Smitha?
I have never enjoyed being a woman more than in The Dirt Picture. It celebrates the woman like a rainbow in all her colours. Some people might have a problem in digesting the character but as a woman I am sure you will like the film.

Silk Smitha was known as a soft porn star. Are you afraid that you might inherit the tag after this film (just as Emraan Hashmi got the serial kisser label after Murder)?
I am an actor and I am portraying Silk's character in The Dirty Picture. So I don't think there will be a possibility of that tag being attached to my name or anything of that sort. I just hope it adds another shade to me as an actor.

How did Ekta Kapoor (producer of The Dirty Picture) zero on you for playing Silk?
How Ekta Kapoor thought of me, how Rajat Aroraa could have written so beautifully...I don't know. If I do a good job, I take the responsibility. No...honestly, if I do a good job, I have to thank the vision, to the great writing and the support.

Before starting shooting, I had told everyone that throughout this film either I am going to walk holding Milan's (Luthria, director) hand or he would hold mine.

I don't know which way it worked but I just knew I had to trust Milan completely and all I can say that it's so worth it so far.

Hope you will find it the same way. And hats off to Ekta for the kind of work she is doing. Every film of hers is so different and I have great admiration for her.

We both started together in Hum Paanch (TV serial) and we have come a long way...God's been kind.

There are quite a few hot scenes in the film. Were you uncomfortable?
Not uncomfortable at all. Because there was one thing I was very sure of ...that I was in very able hands. It was not meant to look ashlil (sleazy), I was confident about that. And if you do something with conviction, it always turns out beautifully.

You are seen romancing three actors-Naseeruddin Shah, Tusshar Kapoor and Emraan Hashmi-in The Dirty Picture. So who was the most romantic of the three?
I can't say that now...because that way I will give away more than I should about the film.

This is the second time you are working with Naseeruddin Shah. Was the experience this time better than the first?
I have worked with Naseersaab before (in Ishqiya) and it was an honour working with him. Now I try not to show my nervousness while sharing screen space with him; I cloak it under my make-up. But he is so encouraging without being blatant about it that I will always remain grateful to him for that.

What was your first reaction when you heard Emraan Hashmi will be cast opposite you?
I was wondering how it would be with Emraan; I still am (bursts out with laughter). But it was a great deal of fun.

Initially, it seemed things will be tough because he doesn't smile or talk too much, but now things are going on the opposite direction. After seeing Silk, his mouth never shuts...he keeps gaping (Laughs).

And what about Tusshar Kapoor?
What can I say about him! We had a lovely time shooting in Hyderabad and even if he doesn't say the same thing that I am going to say now, let me tell you I actually convinced him that the place where we were shooting (at Ramoji Film City) was the best place on the planet Earth.

I made sure that he stayed back even when he was not shooting because he is positive and wonderful person to be around besides being a fun co-star.

He has this straight-faced humour...you won't even know when he cracked a joke when he actually has.